Mrs. Paul Webb, Sr. cared for the historic homestead in Shelby. The Old Southern Homestead was transformed into a museum of southern antiquities. Mrs. Webb Sr. collected art, artifacts, and folk crafts representative of the state's history. Along with these pieces, Mrs. Webb Sr. also renovated the interior of the homestead to reflect the historic character of a typical plantation 'big house.'

Dr. Joseph Halstead, better known as \"Dom Placid,\" is North Carolina's poet laureate, although he was born in Brooklyn, New York. He came to the state in 1921 as teacher of English and Greek at Belmont Abbey College. His writing is not limited only to poetry; he has written plays, book reviews for the Charlotte Observer, and has a radio show called \"Poetry Corner.\" The duties of a poet laureate are to extol the virtues of his state in poetic form and encourage the writing of poetry.

Daniel Russell, judge, Congressman, and Governor, was born in Brunswick County, near Wilmington, in 1845. In 1896, he was elected Governor on the Republican ticket. The two years of his administration were probably the worst the state has ever experienced. African Americans held office all over the state; the Legislature was incompetent; disorder reigned in both Houses sometimes, and police were required to keep order; race riots were occurring or were threatened; the election of Democrat majorities in 1898 brought back a semblance of order to the Legislature.